GOOBERS FOR A GOOBER

“What did that nice young Indian in THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL say?” ‘Everything will be all right in the end...if it’s not all right then it’s not yet the end.’ --Nicolas Barreau, ONE EVENING IN PARIS, a novel 

I spoke to mom on the telephone today. She received that last postcard I mailed to her from the Le Parker Meridien New York on May 24th: 

Dear Mom, 

We stayed at the NY Hilton *(where you and I stayed) last night but the room wasn’t as nice and there was a bit of a misunderstanding (explain later), so we checked out and moved to this hotel, Le Parker Meridien. Lucikly, Alan Shmaruk’s wife to be (Dawn Manning) works at this hotel and made an exclusive arrangement for us to stay here. It’s like we have a whole apartment now. Anyway, having fun. We saw MISSION IMPOSSIBLE last night. Excellent. Love you...and See Ya in Washington DC. Love, Michael 

It was good to be back home in Marina Del Rey. The sun is shining and like always, the beach area is crowded with tourists around the end of May. I received some cool Birthday cards. They were all waiting for me. I liked the Black and White hole-in-one golfer photo card that Reed Campbell postmarked from Minneapolis. The imprint of the card depicted these words: ‘Happy Birthday to someone who’s just a little off course. Reed added “Not Really! Have a Happy One, Best Always, Reed.” 

Dear Michael, 

Writing from a short cruise on the new HOLLAND AMERICA M.S. VEENDAM. We left Fort Lauderdale Sunday the 19th and got home on the 22nd. It’s a beautiful ship. It’s just like the one we sailed on through the Panama Canal a couple of years ago. We plan 10 days in San Franscico from 6-19 to 29th, but will be staying with friends and running around, so won’t have a chance to contact you. Our trip to NORWAY is off. I won the cruise, but air fare is out of the question for the present. Well, have a very Happy Birthday... “27” isn’t it?

As Always,

REED. 

My Aunt Lela’s Birthday card had a lovely shadow and sun image along with a beautiful quote by Sir Thomas Browne “LIFE is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us.” Shine On, Michael! Happy Birthday, Love you Dearly, Auntie Lela.

Aunt Lela's youngest daughter, Donna, had another baby. She sent a pic of my first cousin, Donna Armijo-Payne, holding baby Lauren on June 1st.

Her handwritten note inside included these words:

“You’ve made so many people happy you deserve Only the Best. Always! 

My 1st Cousin Carol and her hubby sent a card for my Birthday. I was surprised given that they just got married on May 18th and were on their honeymoon, but nonetheless it made me feel special. It reminded me of the one time I went to Kauai (with Elisa Berney) back in the summer of 1979.  

May 26, 1996 

Michael, 

This is a Happy Birthday card from Kauai! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  

Been hanging out on the beach, writing notes, postcards to people. I haven’t felt this relaxed in years. Thanks for making it to the wedding. It was a chaotic weekend with all the last-minute changes. I never would have imagined that I would not know the exact location of my wedding and reception until the morning of my wedding! Yikes! I’m sorry I didn’t spend more time talking to you. There were so many people to chat with. I hope you had a good time! It was neat that the Valley was empty for us, a great chance to look around.  

Did you and your mom have a chance to explore the Valley a little? 

I know you’ve been to Hawaii, but have you been to Kauai? It’s so peaceful and quiet, not too many tourists. 

I can’t wait to see the pix and videos of Yosemite and Kauai. Ryan and I still have to collect and open all of our gifts that we left in Fish Camp and in Oakland. What a thing to come home to. Hope your Birthday was special. 

Love,

Carol & Ryan  

Gloria (Alan’s mom) and Jack (Alan’s step-dad) gave me a cool musical card. I love that when you open the card and it plays music. Gloria wrote: 

Dearest Michael, 

You are very special to us. We regard your friendship as very precious. Have a Great Birthday and know we wish you the best.  

Love Always,  

Gloria & Jack 

Dorothy Rua’s card was simple but beautiful with a seashell and shoreline depiction: 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL. 

Hope your weekend in NYC is/was wonderful! Wishing you a great year. Hope your birthday’s as special as you are!  

Love, 

Dorothy 

P.S. Owe you a long letter on several cards...soon. Always Thinking of You.  

Alan arranged a bit of a Surprise Birthday Party for me, too. Alan’s youngest daughter, Carrie, welcomed me home with a delightful Birthday card and postcard (of Leonardo DiCaprio):  

Dear Mike, 

Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you7, Happy Birthday to Mike, Happy Birthday to you! Well, I hope you had a wonderful vacation and a great B-Day. I’ve known you for a long time now and I love spending time with you. You are a great and talented person and I’m lucky to know you. Thank you for everything. Happy Birthday! Don’t worry about your age. You only look 25. 

Love,  

Carrie 

On the Leonardo DiCaprio postcard she wrote these words: 

Dear Mike, 

Happy Birthday. I hope you have a great Birthday. You are great! I can’t believe it’s been 5 ½ years already. You still look like SUPERMAN (don’t worry).  

Isn’t Leonardo DiCaprio fine? You are so kind, happy and you have a big spot in my life. I hope you did not know about this party and will name this one of the happiest days in your life.  

Luv you always,

Carrie 

PS: We have to go shopping again for some toys and we should go on a walk soon. 

PPS: Your relatives are so cute! I love you very much. 

PPPS: Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Mike, Happy Birthday to you. 

PPPPS: Thanks for the Stretch Armstrong guy. I still play with it! 

PPPPPS: Have you seen this movie (BASKETBALL DIARIES)? Does he look cute in it?  Bye! Write back when you have time.  

And Alan’s eldest daughter, Lauren, wrote a cute card using a Calvin Klein postcard: 

Dear Mikey, 

Aren’t you surprised? Well, Happy Birthday. And I hope y9u enjoy your party. We have to keep on going to BLOCKBUSTER MUSIC. You’re like my 2nd father. I want you to know that. I love you lots. 

Love,  

Lauren 

Now I have to get prepared. I’ve arranged with Dr. Maloney, the key doc, at UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute to have a laser vision correction. They will do one eye and then the other a week or so later. I will no longer need eyeglasses to see far away (or while driving). I will likely need reading glasses later in life as my eyes begin to eventually adhere to the normal aging of the eye. However, I’m happy to do this. Of course, my boss at Charles Schwab & Co. wasn’t too thrilled because I had to take time off but such is life. The cool thing is that Charles Schwab & Co. paid for the whole thing because my eyes are necessary to do my work. In the end it will all be worth it. 

And, of course, Ashley wrote me after the Birthday cards were over.  

Dear Uncle Mike, 

Hello! I heard about your “no glasses” thing. You must be really desperate! I mean, to get a laser in your eye?! Hope it didn't hurt. Well, grandma bought candy for you. Some GOOBERS for a goober.  

I’m pretty sure I’m getting a 4.0, so wuz...? 

I hope you feel better. Sorry but it’s 3:37 and I don’t feel like writing. 

Eye. Love. You A BUNCH. 

Your niece, 

Ashley Armijo 

P.S. It’s Dad's B-day this Sunday (the 9th).  

6/4/96 

Dearest Michael, 

Just something to brighten your day and help you mend faster. Now it will be great to have one seeing eye and before you know it, you'll have two!  

Love You Much, 

Gloria & Jack 

“When you get older, there comes a time when you realize that what’s called happiness consists only of individual lovely moments, those special times that you remember later on. This is one of those moments.” --Nicolas Barreau, ONE EVENING IN PARIS, a novel